Why This Blog?

Welcome!

Come in and make yourself at home. I'm so happy to be able to share my recipes here with you.

I bake mostly cookies, quick breads, muffins and scones -- sometimes pie, sometimes cake, but nothing too fancy. I prefer simple recipes that call for ingredients that I already have in my kitchen.

These are the recipes I will share with you. They come from family and friends, magazine clippings saved through the years, favorite cookbooks, and other blogs.

I'm so glad you came to visit. Enjoy your stay!

Michael Ann

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Chocolate Sherry Cream Bars

This is one of my family's favorite recipes that I make at Christmas time. That is when I usually bake these because they are so special, but of course you can make them anytime. This is my most requested recipe.

This may not be a "simple recipe for everyday baking," but it isn't complicated either. Just more time-consuming because of the layers.

I'm not sure where this recipe came from. It's just in my recipe box and I've been making them for a long time. Make sure you have unsweetened chocolate and some Cream Sherry on hand.

Brownie Base:
4 oz.  unsweetened baking chocolate (the bars, not the powder)
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325-F. Grease and flour (use the PAM baking spray) a 13x9" pan.  In a medium bowl, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Let cool slightly. Beat eggs til light.  Gradually add sugar. Add the chocolate mixture and vanilla.  Add flour and salt.   Pour batter into pan and bake 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Don't over-bake! Cool completely.

Filling:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup cream
4 TB Cream Sherry
1 box powdered sugar (16 oz) (3-1/2 cups)
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together with an electric mixer, adding cream and sherry gradually.  Stir in walnuts. Spread over the brownie base and chill til firm.

Topping:
6 oz. (1/2 pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 TB butter
3 TB water

In a small bowl, melt in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Mix well and spread over the filling.  Let topping harden in the fridge before cutting into bars or squares.  Store covered in the fridge.

Happy Baking!

10 comments:

  1. These look amazing! I think I will make them for my husbands food day at work. That way I get to taste one and send the rest on their way. Then I won't feel tempted to eat them all. I am now following through the Wild Weekend Hop. Stop over and give a visit when you can. Have a great weekend.

    http://www.facebook.com/AutumBluesJewelryDesigns

    http://autumnbluesreviews.blogspot.com/

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  2. Those look so amazing, definitely filing this away to make for a special occasion! Thanks for sharing!

    Following you from the Wild Weekend Hop.

    Mandi
    Smile and Mama With Me
    www.smileandmamawithme.blogspot.com

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  3. Autumn, they really are addictive so that sounds like a good plan if you don't want to eat the whole pan! Mandi, thank you, I know you will enjoy!

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  4. OMG those look sooooo good. I am not a big baker but my friend is so I shared the link to your blog with her. I will come back for some great recipes when I need them for taking desserts to people, etc. Thanks for sharing. If you like crafty things I would love for you to take a look at our blog www.micheggy.blogspot.com. I am following you from the weekend blog hop.
    Thanks,
    Michelle

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  5. Hiya I'm Ellie from A Little of This and a Little of That blog and I found you through the Wild Weekend Blog Hop. I'm now your newest follower. You have a really nice blog. If you get a minute please stop by my blog and follow back. Have a great week!

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  6. AMAZING! I can't wait to try this recipe :D :D

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  7. Oh these look to die for Michael Ann! I have a question though, how much is 1 box of icing sugar? Many thanks, Elizabeth.

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  8. Thanks, Elizabeth! They are very sinful... (evil laugh). One box of powdered (confectioners sugar) is 16 oz. (1 lb) 453g.

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  9. My grandmother always made these at Christmas time. I use pecans instead of the walnuts as im allergic to walnuts.

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  10. I fondly remember sitting under my grandmother's grand piano as she and my aunts made these. My favorite treat growing up.

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